Coin computing device for coincontrolled apparatus



H. J. DOLMAN Aug. 12, 1952 COIN COMPUTING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 R m f4 BY DAM Mum MMM ATTORNEY:

H. J. DOLMAN Aug. 12, 1952 COIN COMPUTING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 oooooo //v VENTOR 19- J.

BY a/nm .E:l. --L

ATTORNEYS 12, 1952 H. J. DOLMAN 2,606,639

COIN COMPUTING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /N VENTOR ATTORNE Y6 Aug. 12, 1952 DOLMAN 2,606,639

COIN COMPUTING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Figjo.

Fig.1].

//v VEN TOR B Y WW, M+ m ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1952 COIN COMPUTING DEVICE FOR COIN- CONTROLLED APPARATUS I Henry James Dolman, Staple Hill, Bristol, England, assignor to Brecknell, Munro & Rogers Limited, Bristol, England, a British company Application April 3, 1945, Serial No. 586,408 In Great Britain April 6, 1944 2 Claims.

This invention relates to coin computing devices for coin controlled apparatus of the type comprising a totaliser that is displaced electrically from its initial position by the passage of a coin or coins into the apparatus and to an extent dependent on the value of such coinage, and in which said displacement is utilised in operating the coin controlled apparatus, e. g. an article delivery mechanism.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to avoid overrunning of the drive mechanism of the totalizer.

One form of the present invention is diagrammatically indicated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of the totaliser mechanism with part of the front cover 103 removed, and also includes electrical wiring whereby solenoids are energized by the inserted coins closing switches as they pass down the coin passageways.

Fig. 2 is a plan on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the parts mounted on the back plate 60 above the disc 30 omitted for clearness.

Fig. 3 is a side section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1,

but with the cranked arm 34 as in section.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing hqgv the computing device may control the operation of a coin controlled mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view showing to a larger scale the disengaging member 8|, retaining member H and movable stop member 90, all in the same positions as those indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 but showing the parts 8|, H, and 90 in their displaced positions due to the sliding of an article delivery drawer. Certain parts are omitted from this drawing for clearness.

Fig. 8 is a view to an enlarged scale showing the lifting surface on the driving pawl- Fig. 9 is a view on the line 99 of Fig. 6 but with the screw 15, retaining member H and stop 95 omitted for clearness.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show details of an actuating member to prevent over-running of the driving member 9.

. It is understood that the vending machine comprises the known types of coin slots in the outer casing of the machine communicating with passageways that lead to the interior mechanism, and extending into said passageways are pairs of contact fingers adapted to be momentarily brought together by the passage of a coin. If desired two or more such pairs of fingers may be included in series in a passageway or passageways.

Thus a d. passageway 20l may include one pair of contacts 206, a 1d. passageway 202 may include two pairs of contacts 201 and 208, a 3d. passageway 203 may include one pair of contacts 209, a 6d. passageway 204 may include two pairs of contacts 2) and 2| l, and a 1/- passageway 205 may include four pairs of contacts 2I2, 2l3, 2M and 2|5, as shown inFig. 1.

Such pairs of fingers as above described constitute electric switches located in the coin insertion passageways and their use will be hereinafter described.

Each switch is connected through an electric supply to a solenoid so that each time said switch is closed (by the passage of a coin) the solenoid is energized.

Two such solenoids are illustrated (particularly see Fig. 1) in which I indicates a solenoid operable by a threepenny bit, (i. e. the wires are connected to a switch in a threepenny bit coin passageway) and 2 a solenoid operable by a halfpenny, the solenoid I being secured to the back 98 of the mechanism and 2 to the side I00.

The wires, 3, 4 of said solenoids lead through a common electric supply not shown, to one finger of the switches in the respective coin passageways, and the wires 5, 6 to the second fingers of said switches. Itwill thus be appreciated that each time the switch in the threepenny bit passageway is momentarily closed, the solenoid I will be energized, whilst closure of the. switch in the halfpenny passageway energizes the solenoid 2.

The armature 1 of the solenoid I is connected by a link 8 to the right hand side (as seen in Fig. 1) of an oscillating member 9 which is pivoted on a spindle l5 (Fig. 3) and the armature ID of the solenoid 2 is extended to provide a tappet II which is adapted to drive said member 9 through a lug I2 provided at the left hand side thereof.

Instead of operating one solenoid through a link and one through a tappet, both said solenoids may act on the same side of the pivotal axis of the member 9 and thus may both work through tappets or both through links. v

Referring to Fig. 3, the spindle I5 passes through a boss 26 on the back 98 of the mechanism and is secured thereto by a nut 21 and it is increased in diameter at 29 where the oscillating member 9 pivots.

totaliser disc 39.

that the member 9 may freely oscillate.

A spring I3 secured at one end to a fixed part of the mechanism and at the other end to an ear I4 on the member 9 biasses said member in an anticlockwise direction against a stop I6 whilst movement in the clockwise direction is limited by a stop IL The stops I and I! are constituted by screws secured to the backplate 69 to be hereinafter described.

The solenoids I and 2 are so wired that-energization of either of them acts to move the member 9 in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring I3.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the upper end I8 of the link 8 is slotted at I9 while an extension 29 of the member 9 is bent over so as to provide two bearings for a pin 2|, see especially Fig. 2.

When assembling the mechanism, the pin 2! is passed through one of its bearings, through the slot I 9 and then through the second bearing and isfinally secured by a split pin 22. This arrangement allows of lost motion between the link 8 "andthe member 9 and so permits said member to rock a short distance in a clockwise direction "without moving the armature I.

The member 9 is also bent over at 23 to provide a pair'of bearings for a second pin 24said pin-providing a pivotal mounting for a driving pawl 25, said pawl being biassed by a spring H5 so that it normally engages the teeth of a Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the spindle, l5 includes a fixed distance piece 28 arranged at such a distance from the boss 26 The continuation of the spindle I5 remote from the boss provides at 3 I a free bearing for the totaliser disc 39 and an associated cranked arm 34, and said spindle is then cut down and screw threaded at 32. 7

The totaliser disc 33 includes a stop 33 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Secured to the face of the disc .33 is the cranked arm 34 above referred to,constructed "from insulatingmaterial, e. g. ebonite. The arm '34 comprises a 'disc portion 35, adapted to pass over a boss 36provided on the disc'3il, a cranked portion 3'Iwebbed at 38, and a channelled portion 39. The arm 34 is secured to the'face of the disc by means of counter-sunk screws, one of ,which 40, is indicated in Fig. 3. A terminalscrew 4| is screwed into the ebonite. disc 35.

bridge piece '45. It will thus be seen that the finger 44 is biassed radially outwards as'regards the spindle I5. A conductor wire 48 connects the terminalAI to the bridge piece and hence to the finger 44 due to the latter having slidable contact withthe lower side of said bridge piece. It will be seenthat the tip of the finger traces a circle when the cranked arm 34 is moved by the rotary disc 39. I

' A thin insulation disc (see Fig.4) is also passed over the boss 36 and this acts to protect the heads of the screws, such as 49, from contact with any electric conductors. Ahole is'pierced 4 in the disc 42 to permit the terminal 4| to pass therethrough.

An ebonite sleeve 49 is then screwed on to the screw 32 so that it bears firmly against the right hand end (as seen in Fig. 3) of the free bearing SI, but a slight clearance (say' .002") is left between said sleeve and the disc 42. Further the boss 36 is some .002" shorter than the length of the bearing 3I. The above arrangement ensures that thesleeve 69 is rigidly secured to the spindle I5 but leaves the disc 39 and associated cranked arm 34 free to rotate on the bearing 3 I.

The sleeve 49 is turned down at 50 and a brass ringEI is slidden along said turned down portion and secured thereto by means of a screw 52. A

coil spring 53 is then fitted over the sleeve 49, one end of said spring being anchored under the terminal 41 and the other under the screw 52. A washer as providing an attachment for a conductor 55 is also slidden over the portion 59 'andisheld in position by an insulating cap 56 which in turn is held-firmly by the nut '57.

The'spring 53 serves two purposes, firstly its direction of operationis arranged so that it tends to turn the disc 30'and arm 3d in a clockwise directien, and secondly it-serves as an electric conductor acting to connect the terminal 4| to the screw '52 and consequently the finger to the conductor 55.

The construction of the'disengaging member, retaining device andmovable stop memberwill now be described. See Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9.

Webs 58 and 59 projecting from th back 98 provide supports for the back plate 60 hereinbefore referred to,-said plate including forwardly bentflanges 6!, G2" and 63, for purposes to be hereinafter described, and saidplate 60issecured to the webs 58, 59 by counter-sunk-screws 34, 65.

A plate III is secured to the back plate-50' by screws H2 and H3 and said plate includes a U- shaped flange 66 which provides a pairof bearings for a pin El that carries a non-return pawl said pawl being biassed by a spring 69 anchored to the plate III so that its tooth I0 normally engages with a tooth on the periphery of the disc 3s. The plate HI is adjustably secured by the screws H2 and H3 inthat a small pivotal adjustment is provided by passing the screw H3 through a slot in the plate. Thispermits accurate engagement of the pawl 68 with the teeth of the disc 39.

A three armed lever'TI is pivotall secured to the back plate-Gilby means of a screw 12, a collar (not shown) being provided betweensaid lever l' I and the back plate 69 so it is normally free to pivot in a plane in front of the pawl 68 (as seen in Fig. 6), thus its tail I3 lies in front of the disc 39 as seen in that figure. The lever H is biassed in a clockwise direction by aspring I l and is cut away at '55 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. An adjustable stop I6 screwed to the flange 63 limits movement of the lever II in an anticlockwise direction. In the initial position of the totaliser as shown in Fig. l, the-stop 33 on the disc 39, due to the spring '53, acts through the tail I3 to hold the lever 'Il against said stop IS.

The pawls 25 and 68 are constructed-of greater width than that of the disc 39 with which they engage, the arrangement being such that said greater width lies to the left of the disc*30 as viewed in- Fig. 3, where, however, only the pawl 88 is shown, and further, such greater width'is cut away to provide a lifting surface 11 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The pawl 25 is cut away in similar manner to provide a lifting surface I8, see Fig. 8.

To the backplate 69 there is also attached by means of screws 19, 89 a slide 8|, said slide being slotted at 82, 83 and turned up into a flange 84 so that, due to a spring 85 secured to said flange 84 and the screw 19, the slide 8| normally assumes the position with the upper end of its slots 82, 83 in contact with the screws, as seen in Fig. l, i. e. the slide will normally be in the position shown in that figure. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the slide 8| is located adjacent the backplate 69 and the left hand portion thereof is cranked slightly forward at I84 so that the extreme (lower) end I85 of the slide 8| lies in the same plane as the lifting surfaces 11, I8 of the pawls 88, 25 and below said lifting surfaces. The lower end I85 is extended to provide lifting prongs 86, 81 (see Fig. 1) adapted to engage when desired with the lifting surfaces 11, I8 as will be hereinafter described. It will be observed that when the slide BI is slidden against the action of the spring 85 this will act to lift the said pawls 68, 25 and disengage them from the toothed disc 39 and thus said slide constitutes a disengaging member adapted to disengage the pawls from the said disc.

The disengaging member 8| is provided with a turned up tongue at 88, said tongue being adapted to engage with its lower edge 89 against the cut away portion I5 of the lever II when said lever has rocked in a clockwise direction, i. e. when the stop 33 on the disc 39 has been moved clear of the tail I3 of the lever, coincident withthe member 8| being in its uppermost or stressed position, and it acts to detain the disengaging member in that position, thus said lever II constitutes a detaining member that acts to detain the member 8| in its uppermost position.

In a plane intermediate the retaining member II and the disengaging member 8| there is provided a second three armed lever 99, said lever being pivoted on a screw 9| and a collar (not shown) is provided behind the lever to maintain it in the required plane.

One arm 92 of the lever 99 is connected by suitable linkage (diagrammatically indicated by HG) to an article delivery mechanism, e. g. to a manually reciprocable drawer. The second arm 93 of the lever 99 includes an anchor for a spring 94, whose other end is secured to the flange 6|, said spring biassing the lever 99 in a anticlockwise direction against an adjustable stop 95 secured tothe flange 62.

The tip of the arm 93 comprises a flat surface 96 and normally lies parallel to the back of the pawl 25 but is spaced at short distance, say .002 therefrom to prevent jamming between said surface and back when the lever 99 is rocked.

It will be appreciated that the arm 93 in the position indicated in Fig. 1 acts to stop the pawl 25 being lifted from the disc 39, but that when the lever 99 is moved to bring its arm 93 clear from the .pawl; said pawl may then be brought clearzfroirnthe" disc, and thus the lever 99 constitutes amovable stop member that acts to hold thefpawl in engagement with said disc.

The third arm 91, which as previously explained lies in a plane between that of the disengaging member 8| and the detaining member II, normally lies below and spaced apart from the edge 89 of the tongue 88. The space left therebetween is suiiicient to permit the lever 99 to turn clear of the pawl 25 before engagement ensues between the said third arm 91 and the edge 89.

The majority of the mechanism so far described, i. e. with the exception of the drawer mechanism, coin passageways, etc. is enclosed within a box like structure comprising the back 98, sides 99, I99, I9I, I92, and a cover or front I93, the latter being constituted by a sheet of ebonite or other insulating material screwed to the sides at I93, I94, I95, I96. A portion of the side I92 at I91 is removed to allow the arm 92 of the three armed lever 99 to extend therethrough.

Referring to the cover I93 which is only shown in part in Figs. 1-4, a circular panel is removed from the upper portion thereof, the centre of such circle corresponding to the centre of the spindle I5, and around said panel there is drilled a circular row of holes I98, the radius of such circle being approximately the same as that of the circle traced by the tip of the contact finger 44 when said finger is in its outermost position.

If desired there may also be provided a row of holes I99, electrically connected together, at some position below the circular panel for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 1

Each hole in the circular row I98 corresponds to a tooth of the disc 39, that is to say that each time the disc 39 is turned through an angle corresponding to the distance between one tooth and the next, the contact finger 44 will also be moved through the same angle and this will bring its tip opposite the next succeeding hole, and so on. Thus if the disc 39 is moved from zero (its initial position) through six teeth, the tip of the finger 44 will also be moved to lie adjacent the sixth hole.

It will be observed from Figs. 1 and 5 that the initial or zero position of the disc 39 corresponds to the finger 44 being at approximately 5 oclock, this position being fixed due to the stop 33 engaging the tall 13 of the lever II and said lever being engaged by the stop I6.

As illustrated in the drawings, each tooth of the disc 39 corresponds to one halfpenny, and accordingly each hole in the circular row I98 also corresponds to one halfpenny, but it is obvious that any desired standard could be used. Further for the purpose of illustration it is indicated that the disc may turn through a maximum angle corresponding to three shillings, i. e. seventy-two teeth and seventy-two holes.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, in a convenient form the wire 55 leads toa source of electric power (not shown), thence to two solenoids II'I, I I8 (in parallel), from which the conductors I I9, I29 include plugs I2I, I22, which are inserted in two of the sockets in the row I99.

As previously described, these sockets I99 are electrically connected and the row constitutes a junction box from which the single wire I24, provided with a plug I25, leads to one of the sockets or holes in the circular row I98.

Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically the article delivery mechanisms comprising reciprocable drawers I28 and IZ'I that in this case are intended to operate at 2 /4d. They are provided with handles I28 and I29 that may be grasped by a purchaser to obtain access to the contents. I34 represents the outside casing of the vending machine.

The drawers I26, I21 are each provided with a locking unit comprising two-armed levers I39, I3I, pivoted about fixed points I32, I33, whose claws I35, I36 normally prevent the drawers being opened, springs I31, I38 being provided that bias the levers in an anticlockwise direction as accepts viewedin Fig. 5. Pins I58, I69 provide stops for the levers I30, I3I.

. The armsISS, Mil of said levers I38, I3I are connected through links to the armatures of the solenoids Ill, I I8 respectively, so that when said solenoids are energized, the levers I39, I3I will .be rocked in a clockwise direction to free the drawers for operation by a purchaser.

It will be appreciated that the plug I25 may be inserted in any one of the sockets IE8 and hence said plug and its associated wiring I2 I, IIS and solenoid I I1 comprises an adjustable electric control circuit that may be energized to move the corresponding locking unit I30 and release the associated drawer I 26.

Similarly the plug I25 and its associated wiring I22, I28 and solenoid I Ill comprises an adjustable electric control circuit that may be energized to move the corresponding locking unit I3I and release the drawer I21.

Instead of using two solenoids IIl', H8, one only (e. g. H?) may be used, and the levers I30, I3I mechanically coupled together.

Mechanical means are provided to prevent more than one released drawer being operated at a time.

Thus fixed to the bed of the vending machine between the drawers is a guide I42 that provides a mounting for a slide M3. Angular notches Hie, I45 are cut in the sides of the drawers and the ends of the slide are cut to correspond with the notches. The length of the slide is such that when completely,,say, to the left as seen in Fig. 5, the point I46 is just clear of the drawer I2? and thus said drawer is free to be slidden when unlocked.

This arrangement renders unavailable any drawer other than the one chosen, since an attempt to slide the drawer I26 will act to move the slide I43 towards the right, as seen in Fig. 5, into the path of the drawer I27, and thus render said drawer I2! unavailable.

Beneath and at or towards the back of each drawer there is provided a downwardly extending .lug I47 and this is adapted to coact with a lever I48 fixed to a rod I49 pivotally mounted in the casing of the machine. The rod N19 has rigidly secured thereto a lever I58 which is attached by the linkage H6 to the arm 92 of the lever 953 so that when a drawer has been slightly opened the lug I47 strikes the lever I 38 causing the rod I49 :to turn about its pivots which depresses the lever I58 and moves the arm 92, and this acts, as will be hereinafter described, to return the totaliser disc to zero. g

The lug I i? is extended .rearwardly so that it holds the lever I50 in its depressed position all the time the drawer is open so that the arm as is held down throughout that time.

The apparatus works in the following manner:

The parts are normally in the position indicated in Fig. l, with the oscillating member 9 in an approximately horizontal position and its right hand end bearing against the stop IS; the totaliser disc 36, due to the spring 53,- engaging its stop 33 against the tail E3 or" the detaining member II and .thuspressing said member against the stop "I6 the cranked arm 34 at approximately oclock; .thepawls and 68 engaging teeth in the rotary disc the disengaging member 8| in its lowermost or unstressed position clear of the pawls 25, 68; the movable stop member 98 in its extreme anticlockwise position against the stop 95 and the solenoids I and 2 in their uppermost and lowermost positions respectively.

The coin passageway switches are in their open positions (i. e. the. circuits to the solenoids I, 2

are ncom let a d the drawe s r l d b the members I30, I3I.

For the purpose of the description it will be assumed that it is desired to operate the vending machine for say 1/2d. and 2/4d. and that the drawers inFig. 5 are the 2/ ld. ones.

A plug I55 will beinserted in the 28th hole and a plug I25 in the 56th hole, the former leading to the 1/ 2d. drawers (not shown in the drawings) and the latter being connected to the wire I24 as indicated.

It will also be assumed that the machine is provided with d 1d., 3d., 6d., and 1/- slots on the outside, thusthere will be five coin passageways leading to the interior of the machine. The ;d. passageway will include one switch and the ld. two, these being included in the circuit to the solenoid 2. The 3d. passageway one switch, the id-two and the 1/- four, all in the circuit to the solenoid I. It is to be understood that after passing the switches, the coin passageways lead to a till.

Further it will be assumed that there are two drawers to be made operable at each of the above prices.

It is to be understood, however, that any desired number of passageways and drawers may be utilised. Further, drawers may be provided to operate at any price between zero and the maximum number of holes in the row I68.

If now a purchaser wishes to obtain an article at say 2/4d. and the money he possesses includes l/, two 6d, 3d. and 1d., the device will work as 7 follows:

The l/- is placed in the l/- slot and during its movement down-the passageway it closes in turn each of the four switches. These switches which, as above mentioned, are included in the circuit to the solenoid I, will each act to complete said circuit and energize the solenoid. Thus the solenoid I is momentarily energized four times in .succession. Each movement of the armature I, through the link 8, pulls the right hand end of the oscillating member 9 down against the stop I'Ithis position is illustrated in chain lines at I23 in Fig. 6-this acts to drag the pawl 25 downwards across six teeth of the disc 39, and also to stress the spring I3, movement of the disc being prevented by the non-return pawl 88. The spring I3 then reasserts itself to return the member 9 to its originalposition against the stop It, but during this return motion, since the pawl 25 will engage the totaliser disc 30 it will act to turn said disc and the cranked arm 34 through an angle corresponding to six teeth. Thus the solenoid comprises means operated by the inserted coin adapted to drive the rotary toothed disc 30 in one direction.

Similar movement of the member 9, and consequently of the disc 39 and cranked arm 34, takes place for ,each of the 6d. bits, but only twice instead of four times in each case, and the 3d. bit operates it once only.

.Each switch (two) in the 1d. passageway on being closed by the passage of a coin completes the circuit to the solenoid 2 and this, through its tappet I I, lifts the left hand side of the member 9 through a distance corresponding to one tooth at each energization. The sum of the number of teeth moved by the totaliser disc 33 as above deand 2) to an extent dependent on the total value ofthe coins inserted, in this case 2/4d., and that in such position it acts to complete the control circuit concerned and release the locking unit of the corresponding article delivery mechanisms.

Referring again to Fig. 5 it will be appreciated that rotation of the finger 44 to the fifty-sixth hole would complete the circuit to the solenoids Ill and H8, thus rocking the levers I30 and I3| to the chain line position to unlock the drawers I26, I21. Thus the control circuit corresponding to the value of the coins inserted (2/4d.) is energized and its locking unit moved to release the drawers.

The purchaser then pulls the chosen drawer (say I 21) .and this acts to render unavailable the drawer I26 and in a similar manner any other drawers at 2/4d. and also to presentthe article so that it may be removed.

The operation of pulling the drawer I21 acts by. depressing the lever I48, and turning the rod I49 and lever I50 and hence moving the linkage II6 to pull downwards the arm 92 of the stop member 90 (this position is illustrated in Fig. '1), and this returns the totaliser to its insponding locking units, and it is also clear that any one article may readily be adjusted to sell at a different price by moving a plug from one socket to anotherv,

.Referring to the operation of the solenoids in general, it will be appreciated that the length of stroke of solenoids I and 2 is of considerable importance, that is to say, solenoid I has to move exactly six teeth and solenoid 2 has to move only 1. Further, the force exerted by a solenoid is considerable and also the force necessary to return it quickly after operation is considerable. The speed is necessary to'allow for a subsequent operation.

Bearing the above points in mind and referring to Fig. l, the limitation of the solenoid I the disc 30 will over-run, since the springs on itial position as the following action takes place (see especially Figs. 6, 7 and 9).

The stop member 90 turns in a clockwise direction, first bringing the tip of its arm 93 clear of the back of the pawl 25; the arm 91 then strikes the edge 89 of the tongue 88 and slides the disengaging member 8| upwards. This, through its prongs 66 and 81, lifts the pawls 25 and 68, thus freeing the disc to return to zero under the action of the spring 53. To ensure that the member 8| is held up until the disc 30 has returned to zero, the lever 1| comes into operation. Thus as the member BI is raised to the top of its stroke, the lever 1| (which since the stop 33 has moved clear of its tail 13 at first rests against the left hand side of the tongue 88 as seen in Fig. 6) turns further in a clockwise direction to bring its cut away portion 15 beneath the edge 89 of the tongue 68 (see Fig. '1) and so detain the disengaging member at the top of its stroke. The last movement of the disc 30 as it comes to zero causes its stop 33 to strike the tail 13 forcing the cut away portion 15 out of engagement with the edge 89, and thus the disengaging member 8| is no longer held up thereby.

The return of the drawer completes the operation of the mechanism as this permits the arm 90 to return to the position shown in Fig. l, and the device is ready for the next actuation.

It will be appreciated that the operation of the device for 1/2d. is identical with that described for 2/4d., except that the plug I55 will complete the circuit to the locking elements of one or more 1/2d. drawers.

With a device as above described, should it be found necesary to sell the articles at a different price, it is only necessary to open the vending machine, move a plug to the revised price, say from 1/2d. to 1/2 d., i. e. socket 28 to socket 29, and the machine is then operable at the new price.

The device as so far described permits of constructing a coin freed vending machine suitable for selling articles at different prices, the examples given being 1/2d. and 2/4d., but it is clear that the machine may include drawers all operable at one price or a plurality of prices by merely removing plugs or providing additional plugs (such as I25) and providing the correthe pawls 25, 68 are relatively light, and so drag past the pawl 25 and turn through an angle corresponding to say seven or more teeth. The chief object of holding the pawl 25, closely against the disc 30 (only .002 clearance) by the stop 93 is to avoid the over-running.

The stroke of the solenoid 2 is controlled by the spring I56 and washer I51 combined with the adjustment provided by the nut I58 which results in the tappet II only being able to move through a distance corresponding to one tooth. If necessary means may be provided to prevent the tappet overdriving the totaliser.

For example in place of the fixed tappet II there may be provided a pivoted plate member I62 comprising a cam surface I and a hooked stop I61, and it is slotted at I6I. The plate I62 is pivotally secured by the screw I59 and split pin to an upstanding flange I64 provided on the bracket I63. The end of the armature I0 is bifurcated and the plate is secured thereto by means of a pin I60.

With this device, when the solenoid 2 is energized, the armature I0 rises and pivots the plate I62 about the screw I59. This turns the memher 9 in a clockwise direction due to the cam I65 driving it through the bent over end I66 of said member.

The arrangement of the cam I65 and hook I61 is such that when the member 9 has turned through a predetermined angle (in the case of the solenoid 2 through an angle corresponding to one tooth of the totaliser disc 30) the hooked stop I61 will be deflected to the right sufficiently to engage the top edge of the end I66 and so prevent further movement of said member 9.

As regards the solenoids H1 and H8, it is only necessary in this case to bring the arms I30 and |3| clear of the drawers I26 and I21 so that the exact control of the solenoids is unnecessary.

Other features of the apparatus herein described are claimed in the specifications of the copending applications referred to below:

No. 585,622, now abandoned, relates to a method of coupling the coin computing device with a plurality of article delivery mechanisms so as to obtain effective control thereof without involving complex electric circuits.

No. 585,623 relates to mechanism for returning the totaliser to its initial position when an article is delivered, and is directed to making its operation more reliable.

In No. 586,409, now abandoned, overdriving of the totaliser due to the energy of motion was to'taliser' at the end of the driving stroke;

No; 588,493, now abandoned, referred to the use of plug and socket connections in the" e1ectrio circuits for controlling the locking means, to permit of ready adjustment in the price of the artic'les'to be sold.

What I claim is:

1. A coin computing device'for coin controlled apparatus oomprisingia ratchet member, a plu rality" of coin-controlled s'01enoids',. a common oscili'atable membef'connected to each of said solenoids movable to and from an initial posi' tion, a cam forming a part of the connection ofion'e saidsoienoid to said oscillatable member and oli'er'able" by said one solenoid to actuate saidoscillatable member, a locking surface" on said" cam engaging said o'sci11atab1e'memb'e1" at tl ieli'd of its stroke remote from saidinitial fios'itio'fi, a driving pawl pivotaliy mounted on said osoillatalolev member Having a uni direc= tionai driving" connection with said ratchet member and a retaining member cooperating with said ratchet member to prevent reverse motion thereof.

12 2. A coin computing device as claimed in claim 1; in which the connection between another of said solenoids and said oscillatabie member comprises a lost motion device.

HENRY JAMES DOLMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The-following referencesare of recordi'n the file oi this patent:

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2,102,531 Hoke Dec. 14, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 354,418- Great Britain Aug. 13', 1931 375,264 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1930 498145 Great- Britain -11 Jan. 4, 1939 

